The Transformation of 1961

After years of neglect, Hakone was purchased in 1961 by a partnership including the families of Joseph and Eldon Gresham of Saratoga, the prominent San Francisco families of George Hall, John Young, and John Kan, and the important Palo Alto family of Dan Lee.

This group restored the neglected, overgrown gardens to their beautiful splendor. Hakone was well taken care of by the partnership, especially by the Chinese-American families who had a special reverence for the gardens. In 1966 the partners sold the beautifully restored Hakone to the City of Saratoga for all to enjoy.

The City then hired Tanso Ishihara, a Kyoto-trained Japanese garden specialist, who enhanced the gardens' classical Japanese design, constructing the camellia hillside and high trails, and restoring the ponds, waterfalls and pathways. Together with renowned Japanese architect Kiyoshi Yasui, a 14th generation architect to the Imperial Household, he developed a master plan for expanding onto the surrounding 18-acre site.